Use of Surname in Business Name
Use of Surname in Business Name
Should You Ever Use Your Surname In Your Business Name?
If you are thinking about using your surname as all or part of your business name, think carefully. Using your surname may carry unlooked for consequences, and should be carefully analyzed before you finalize your choice. Several questions arise.
How will your surname impact your future business prospects? Is your surname a good or a poor choice when it comes to the specific type of enterprise you will be operating? Will your surname bring a positive or negative energy to how prospects, customers, and vendors perceive your business? Also, there are practical considerations, such as the possibility of acquiring a trademark or patent using your surname.
Factoring into this decision is the age we live in. It's a fact of corporate life that much of the communication engaged in between corporations and their clients or customers is now carried out in a most impersonal manner, through the widespread use of technology such as email and text messages. Face-to-face, and even voice-to-voice contact has become much less significant in the machinations of the average business, and therefore the potential impact of one's surname on business process is likewise diminished. However, for some, this may be the very reason to strongly consider the use of their family name; to rebuild some of that personal, one-to-one communication energy back into the day to day operation of their firm.
Although there are several highly successful uses of surnames in business enterprises over the past hundred years or so - including Ford, JC Penney, and Trump - keep in mind that your surname may not lend itself to your particular type of enterprise, or even to business in general. For instance, if your surname is Violet, and the business you are planning to begin is a Plumbing Contracting firm, you may be better off looking elsewhere for naming ideas.
Other reasons to veer away from use of your surname in naming your firm include the lack of a sense of energy and excitement, as well as difficulties in differentiating your business from others in the same niche. For example, the surnames Smith or Jones aren't likely to accomplish much when it comes to standing your business apart in the minds of your prospects.
Before deciding either way however, why not take some time to carefully consider whether or not your surname could be incorporated into your business name in a unique or creative way? Doing this well, perhaps even with the help of a qualified and experienced nameologist, might well leave you with a business name with a pleasing and powerful impact, and lay a firm foundation for future business success.
Trackback(0)
TrackBack URI for this entryComments (0)
Subscribe to this comment's feedWrite comment
Free Business Report
Request your free report on Ten strategies for creating the perfect business name. Simply fill in your name and email address and you will receive your report without charge or obligation!
